Walla Walla Itinerary - 4/10
Walla Walla was once the Washington Territory's capital stretching from the Olympic Peninsula and Puget sound, over the Cascade Mountains to the dry Columbia Plateau and rolling Palouse Hills. Walla Walla has been home to tribes, missionaries, fur traders, the Hudson's Bay Company, Idaho gold rushers, U.S. cavalry, and briefly by Lewis & Clark and the Corps of Discovery.
Walla Walla (named by local tribes as the land of many waters) is nestled into a valley in the Blue Mountain's foothills. It features rich fertile soils from years of glacial flooding, which suits many fruits, vegetables, and grains.
Italian immigrants planted vineyards four generations ago, and one of those descendants started the first winery. The first Walla Walla wine was released in 1977 by Leonetti Cellar.
Val’s Birthday Celebration
11:15 a.m. pick-up from the Birch Street House
11:30 a.m. Tranche Cellars (11)
705 Berney Drive Fee: $20 pp (waived with two bottle purchase)
Truly a slice of the good life; Tranche, a word meaning slice, delivers on your image of a luxurious wine country experience. Sweeping views, charming pasture and classic patio vibes.
The winery and tasting room is nestled in the Blue Mountain Vineyards. Enjoy a selection of approachable wines at a truly modern wine country estate.
12:45 p.m. depart for Monteillet Fromagerie
12:45 p.m. Scenic Drive
Enjoy a 30-minute drive through the rolling Palouse on the way to your next stop located in the Touchet Valley! Lewis and Clark took this route and camped just outside the little town of Dayton, Washington.
1:15 p.m. Monteillet Fromagerie (11)
109 Ward Rd., Dayton, WA Fee: $20 pp (Please bring cash)
Enjoy a genuinely French-inspired afternoon sampling cheese on a 32-acre farm and fromagerie. Bubbling with hospitality and artistry is Joan Monteillet. You will be seated all together for an afternoon of sampling, savoring, and conviviality. Wine pairings, featuring new and innovative wines will be served (See Wine Tasting Seminar below for a sneak peak.)
LUNCH
Brasserie Four at the fromagerie. Enjoy a selection of charcuterie, pate, salads, pizza and quiche du jour.
Wine Tasting Seminar at Monteillet Fromagerie
Here is a sneak peak of some of the producers that will be featured.
Long Shadows
Long Shadows was started with the premise that Washington State wines can go head to head against internal and domestic heavy hitters. The state-of-the art wine production facility located in rolling Palouse wheat fields showcases a selection of wines from consulting winemakers. From Randy Dunn to Michel Rolland, heavy hitting international winemakers have a hand in showcasing the quality of Washington State wines.
Sleight of Hand Cellars
Started in 2007 to make excellent wine and have fun — this endeavor has had numerous wines in the Top 100 wine lists of Wine Spectator Magazine. Sleight of Hand Cellars makes a wide selection of Bordeaux wines and several funky Rocks District Syrahs. We will be sampling a wine produced from the Blue Mountain Vineyard which we toured in the morning that has been aged for several years.
Canvasback
Napa Valley put American Cabernet on the map and Canvasback is trying to do the same for the Red Mountain AVA Cabernet. The hot appellation produces full-bodied wines, expertly handled by Washington native and winemaker, Brian Rudin.
2:50 p.m. - Depart for Pepper Bridge Winery
3:30 p.m. Pepper Bridge Winery (11)
1704 JB George Rd (complimentary tasting)
Elegant wines sourced from estate vineyards. Run by my dear friend, JF Pellet. Precise and true to the varietal, the team has produced stunning wines for more than two decades. Offering truly elevated experiences of wine in Walla Walla.
You will be seated right in the middle of the wine making process at the winery surrounded by the estate vineyards.
5:00 p.m. - return to Birch Street House